Photosensitive thermal development recording material, its case, and developing method and production process of photosensitive thermal recording material

ABSTRACT

A case of a photosensitive thermal development recording material for housing a photosensitive thermal development recording material has a support and an image forming layer containing a photosensitive silver halide, a non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent and a binder on at least one surface of the support, wherein the case is provided with a main body having a housing section for housing the photosensitive thermal development recording material, at least a surface of the case being made of a light-shielding material, and the housing section is provided with a sensitizing member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a photosensitive thermal developmentrecording material for forming a latent image upon irradiation withX-rays, its case, and developing method and production process of aphotosensitive thermal development recording material.

2. Background of the Invention

In recent years, thermal development equipments and thermal developmentrecording equipments by a dry system, which are free from wetprocessing, have been proposed. In such thermal development equipmentsor thermal development recording equipments, photosensitive and/orheat-sensitive recording materials (photosensitive heat-sensitivedevelopment materials) or film-like recording materials containing aphotosensitive thermal development recording material (hereinafterreferred to as “photosensitive thermal development recording materials”)are used as a recording medium.

Examples of such a dry system include an X-ray equipment which is usedin medical facilities such as hospitals. The X-ray equipment isconstructed such that a photosensitive thermal development recordingmaterial is held in a cassette and irradiated with X-rays from an X-raytube, thereby transmitting the X-rays into an object to form a latentimage on the photosensitive thermal development recording material (forexample, see Patent Documents JP-A-4-256946 and JP-A-60-153000).

If a photosensitive thermal development recording material is handled ina bright room, it is sensitized to light. Accordingly, it is necessaryto perform works to set the photosensitive thermal development recordingmaterial in a cassette in a dark room before X-ray capturing. However,it is demanded to avoid works in a dark room as far as possible. Inparticular, in facilities where the X-ray capturing is not so frequentlyperformed, such as small-scale hospitals, it is required that dark roomfacilities be not provided as far as possible from the standpoint ofeffectively utilizing the place.

Under these circumstances, the invention has been made.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a photosensitive thermaldevelopment recording material which does not require works in a darkroom and can be easily handled, its case and developing method andproduction process of a photosensitive thermal development recordingmaterial.

The foregoing object of the invention is achieved by a case of aphotosensitive thermal development recording material for housing aphotosensitive thermal development recording material having a supportand an image forming layer containing a photosensitive silver halide, anon-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent and a binder onat least one surface of the support, wherein the case is provided with amain body having a housing section for housing the photosensitivethermal development recording material, at least a surface of the casebeing made of a light-shielding material; and the housing section isprovided with a sensitizing member.

This case of a photosensitive thermal development recording material isprovided with a main body made of a light-shielding material. By housinga photosensitive thermal development recording material in the case, itis possible to prevent a phenomenon that the photosensitive thermaldevelopment recording material is sensitized to light in a bright roomfrom occurring. Also, since fingers do not directly touch thephotosensitive thermal development recording material, it is possible toprevent a phenomenon that stains such as fingerprints adhere onto thephotosensitive thermal development recording material from occurring.Moreover, since a sensitizing member is installed in the case, it ispossible to perform X-ray capturing in the state that the photosensitivethermal development recording material is housed in the case. Thus, inperforming capturing in an X-ray equipment, a cassette for holding aphotosensitive thermal development recording material becomesunnecessary.

In the foregoing case of a photosensitive thermal development recordingmaterial, it is preferable that the sensitizing member is adhered ontoan inner surface of the housing section opposing to the image forminglayer of the photosensitive thermal development recording material.

According to this construction, in inserting the recording material intothe case or taking out the recording material from the case, it ispossible to prevent a phenomenon that the sensitizing member moveswithin the housing section to cause twisting or wrinkles from occurring.

In the foregoing case of a photosensitive thermal development recordingmaterial, it is preferable that the housing section is partitioned intoa pair of pocket portions by a partitioning portion; the photosensitivethermal development recording material is held in one of the pair ofpocket portions; the sensitizing member is held in the other pocketportion; and a window portion is opened in a place corresponding to aportion for forming a latent image in the partitioning portion.

According to this case of a photosensitive thermal development recordingmaterial, by exchanging the photosensitive thermal development recordingmaterial held in one of the pair of pocket portions in every X-raycapturing to reuse the relatively expensive sensitizing member held inthe other pocket portion, it is possible to repeatedly use (recycle) thecase.

It is preferable that the foregoing light-shield material cuts a colorlight having a wavelength of not longer than 500 nm.

According to this construction, by shielding the color light having awavelength of not longer than 500 nm and using a transparent ortranslucent material as a material having a photosensitive filteringfunction, it is possible to visibly confirm the state of the recordingmaterial housed in the case from the outside of the case. In addition,“color light” as referred to herein means a visible light, which has awavelength of about from 400 nm to 700 nm. For this reason, in directlyloading the case in a thermal development equipment and performingthermal development, it is possible to confirm the development statewithout taking out the recording material from the case, and therefore,such is convenient for use.

Further, the foregoing object of the invention is achieved by a cassettefor holding the foregoing case of a photosensitive thermal developmentrecording material and capable of being loaded in an X-ray equipment forforming a latent image upon irradiation of the foregoing photosensitivethermal development recording material with X-rays.

According to this cassette, it is possible to strengthen the degree ofadhesion between the recording material housed within the foregoing caseand the sensitizing member. Also, it is not necessary to install asensitizing member within the cassette as seen in the related art, andtherefore, maintenance of the cassette such as cleaning becomes easy.

Moreover, the foregoing object of the invention is achieved by a methodfor developing a photosensitive thermal development recording materialhaving a support and an image forming layer containing a photosensitivesilver halide, a non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducingagent and a binder on at least one surface of the support, whichcomprises housing the photosensitive thermal development recordingmaterial in a case at least a surface of which is made of alight-shielding material; irradiating the photosensitive thermaldevelopment recording material with X-rays in a state that the case isprovided with a sensitizing member; and then thermally developing thephotosensitive thermal development recording material in a state thatthe photosensitive thermal development recording material is housed inthe case to visualize a latent image.

According to this developing method, since the case is made of alight-shielding material, it is possible to handle the photosensitivethermal development recording material housed in this case in a brightroom. Also, since the case is provided with a sensitizing member, acassette provided with a screen functioning as a sensitizing member asseen in the related art is not necessary. By performing thermaldevelopment in the state that the photosensitive thermal developmentrecording material is housed in the case, it is possible to omit worksfor loading the photosensitive thermal development recording material ina cassette. Accordingly, such is convenient for use especially in thecircumference where the number of X-ray capturing is small (for example,small-scale medical spots such as those of a doctor in privatepractice).

Still further, the foregoing object of the invention is achieved by aphotosensitive thermal development recording material comprising asupport and an image forming layer containing a photosensitive silverhalide, a non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent and abinder on at least one surface of the support, a sensitizing layer beingformed on a surface of the image forming layer and a surface of thesensitizing layer being covered by a light-shielding layer.

Since this photosensitive thermal development recording material iscovered by a light-shielding layer, it is possible to handle thephotosensitive thermal development recording material in a bright roomeven in that state it is not housed in a case made of a light-shieldingmaterial or a cassette of the related art. Accordingly, works in a darkroom are not required, and therefore, such is convenient for use. Also,at the time of X-ray capturing, it is possible to irradiate thisphotosensitive thermal development recording material with X-rays; atthe time of thermal development, by loading this recording material in athermal development equipment as it is, it is possible to performthermal development processing; and after the thermal development, bypeeling a light-shielding layer and a sensitizing layer, it is possibleto obtain a developed recording material.

Even further, the foregoing object of the invention is achieved by aprocess for producing a photosensitive thermal development recordingmaterial having a support and an image forming layer containing aphotosensitive silver halide, a non-photosensitive organic silver salt,a reducing agent and a binder on at least one surface of the support,which comprises forming the image forming layer on the fed support;laminating a sensitizing layer on the surface of the image forminglayer; laminating a light-shielding layer on the surface of thesensitizing layer; and then cutting the support.

According to this production process, since the single production stepincludes a step for forming an image forming layer on a support, a stepfor laminating a sensitizing layer on a surface of the image forminglayer, a step for laminating a light-shielding layer on a surface of thesensitizing layer, and a step for cutting the support, it is possible toefficiently produce a photosensitive thermal development recordingmaterial capable of being handled in a bright room.

According to the invention, it is possible to provide a photosensitivethermal development recording material which does not require works in adark room and can be easily handled, its case and developing method andproduction process of a photosensitive thermal development recordingmaterial.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a view to explain the first embodiment of a case of aphotosensitive thermal development recording material according to theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view to show aother embodiment of the caseof the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view to show a cassette according tothe invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a photosensitive thermal developmentrecording material according to the invention.

FIG. 5 is a view to conceptually explain the production step of thephotosensitive thermal development recording material of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a view to conceptually explain the step of performing of X-raycapturing a case of a recording material.

FIG. 7 is an perspective view to show the second embodiment of a case ofa photosensitive thermal development recording material according to theinvention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view to show the state that a photosensitivethermal development recording material and a sensitizing member arehoused in the case illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a view to schematically show the steps of performing X-raycapturing and thermal development using the case of a photosensitivethermal development recording material illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 10 is a view to show the fourth embodiment of a case of aphotosensitive thermal development recording material according to theinvention.

FIG. 11 is an XI-XI line cross-sectional view of the case of aphotosensitive thermal development recording material illustrated inFIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view to show another embodiment of a caseof a photosensitive thermal development recording material according tothe invention.

FIG. 13 is a view to conceptually explain the production step of thephotosensitive thermal development recording material of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the photosensitive thermal developmentrecording material, its case and developing method and production methodof a photosensitive thermal development recording material according tothe invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view to explain the first embodiment of a case of aphotosensitive thermal development recording material according to theinvention. A case 1 is one housing a photosensitive thermal developmentrecording material (hereinafter often referred to as “recordingmaterial”) F in which a latent image is formed upon irradiation withX-rays.

The recording material F is provided with an image forming layercontaining a photosensitive silver halide, a non-photosensitive organicsilver salt, a reducing agent and a binder on at least one surface of asupport, in which a latent image is previously formed on the imageforming layer upon irradiation with X-rays, and the recording material Fis subjected to thermal development to visualize the latent image on theimage forming layer. The image forming layer will be hereunder oftenreferred to as “photosensitive layer”.

The case 1 has a main body 1 a and a housing section 2 for housing therecording material, which is provided inside the main body 1 a. The mainbody 1 a is a closed-end longitudinal bag-like member and constructedsuch that the recording material F can be inserted from an opening 3formed in one end portion thereof. The case 1 is a member in which atleast the surface of the main body 1 a is made of a light-shieldingmaterial. Examples of the light-shielding material which can be usedinclude metals such as an aluminum foil, black resins, and compositemembers thereof.

In the housing section 2 of the case 1, the recording material F andsensitizing members 5 to be disposed on the both surfaces of therecording material F are inserted inside the housing section 2. Afterhousing the recording material F and the sensitizing members 5 in thehousing section 2, by folding an end side in the side where the opening3 is formed in a prescribed width to form a folded portion 4, theopening 3 is shielded, whereby the light-shielding properties inside thehousing section 2 are ensured. In taking out the recording material Ffrom the case 1, by opening the folded portion 4, it is possible to takeout the recording material F from the opening 3. Incidentally, in thecase 1 of this embodiment, the folded portion 4 is not limited, but forexample, a chuck portion capable of opening and closing the end side inthe side where the opening 3 is formed by means of a chuck may beprovided.

The case 1 is not limited to the construction in which the sensitizingmembers 5 are housed in the housing section 2 as in this embodiment.FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view to show other embodiment of the case ofthis embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a construction in which thesensitizing members 5 are adhered onto an inner surface of the housingsection 2 may be employed. According to this construction, in insertingor taking out the recording material F, it is possible to prevent aphenomenon that the sensitizing members 5 move within the housingsection 2 to cause twisting or wrinkles from occurring.

This case 1 is provided with the main body 1 a made of a light-shieldingmaterial, and by housing the recording material F in this case 1, it ispossible to prevent a phenomenon that the recording material F issensitized to light in a bright room from occurring. Also, since fingersdo not directly touch the recording material F, it is possible toprevent a phenomenon that stains such as fingerprints adhere onto therecording material F from occurring. Moreover, since the sensitizingmembers 5 are installed in the case 1, it is possible to perform X-raycapturing in the state that the recording material F is housed in thecase 1. Thus, in performing capturing in an X-ray equipment, it is notnecessary to provide a screen having the same function as thesensitizing members in the side of a cassette for holding the recordingmaterial.

FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view to show a cassette according tothe invention. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a cassette 11 houses and holdsthe recording material F therein and is loaded in an X-ray equipment,and the thus held recording material F is irradiated with X-rays.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cassette 11 is provided with a main body12 having a quadrangular bottom face 12 a which comes into face contactwith the recording material F and a rib 14 vertically provided so as tosurround a peripheral portion of the bottom face 12 a. Also, thecassette 11 can dispose the recording material F in the site surroundedby the rib 14 of this main body 12 and is provided with a lid 13 capableof opening and shielding this site. In the case of setting the recordingmaterial F in the cassette 11, the lid 13 is opened, the recordingmaterial F is disposed in the main body 12, and the lid 13 is thenclosed.

By housing the case 1 in the main body 12 and closing the lid 13, it ispossible to strengthen the degree of adhesion between the recordingmaterial housed within the case 1 and the sensitizing members.

Since the recording material F is provided with the sensitizing members5, it is not necessary to provide a screen, etc. as seen in the relatedart in the bottom face 12 a or an inner surface 13 a of the lid 13 (thesurface in the side of the bottom face 12 a when the lid 13 is closed).For this reason, maintenance of the cassette such as cleaning becomeseasy.

Next, the photosensitive thermal development recording materialaccording to the invention will be described below with reference to thedrawings.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a photosensitive thermal developmentrecording material according to the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 4,a recording material 40 has a support 41 and photosensitive layers 42provided on the both surfaces of the support 41.

Also, in the recording material 40, a sensitizing layer 43 is providedon each of the surfaces of the foregoing photosensitive layers 42.Incidentally, the recording material 40 may be constructed such that thephotosensitive layer 42 is provided only on one surface of the support41. Also, the recording material 40 may be constructed such that thesensitizing layer 43 is provided on the surface of only onephotosensitive layer 42 of the photosensitive layers 42 provided on theboth surfaces of the support 41.

The production step of the photosensitive thermal development recordingmaterial as illustrated in FIG. 4 will be described below. FIG. 5 is aview to conceptually explain the production step of the photosensitivethermal development recording material of FIG. 4.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the support 41 is wound out from a supportmaster roll R11. Photosensitive materials are coated on the bothsurfaces of the support 41 as wound out to form the photosensitivelayers 42. Sensitizing material master rolls R13 are disposed in theupward and downward portions of a traveling passage of the support 41having the photosensitive layers 42 formed thereon. Sensitizingmaterials (sensitizing layers 43) as wound out from the sensitizingmaterial master rolls R13 are pressed on the both surfaces of thesupport 41 by a pair of adsorbing rollers 27 while being guided by guiderollers 25 and heat sealed by a pair of heating pressure rollers 29disposed in the downstream side in the traveling direction. The support41 in which the sensitizing layers 43 have been thus provided on theboth front and rear surfaces thereof is cut into a prescribed dimensionin the downstream side of the heating pressure rolls 29 to prepare therecording material 40.

In the production process of this recording material 40, a pair of thesensitizing layers 43 are laminated on the support 41 immediately aftercoating the photosensitive material thereon from the front and rearsurfaces, and after the lamination, the support 41, the photosensitivelayers 42, and the sensitizing layers 43 are cut.

The recording material 40 obtained by cutting is housed in the case 21.In the case 21, at least the outside thereof is made of alight-shielding material, and its construction is basically identicalwith that of the case 1 explained in FIG. 1 but is different in thepoint that the sensitizing material 5 is not provided in the main body.

A step of performing X-ray capturing of the case in which the recordingmaterial obtained in the production step of the recording materialillustrated in FIG. 5 has been housed will be described below. FIG. 6 isa view to conceptually explain the step of performing X-ray capturing ofa case of a recording material.

The recording material 40 housed in the case 21 is irradiated withX-rays X to form a latent image on the photosensitive layer of therecording material 40. After the irradiation with X-rays, the case 21having the recording material 40 housed therein is thermally developedby a thermal development equipment 48. After the thermal development,the recording material 40 is taken out from the case 21, and thesensitizing layers 43 are peeled away from the photosensitive layer 42(support 41).

The photosensitive thermal development recording material 40 illustratedin FIG. 4 is constructed such that the sensitizing layer 43 is providedon the surface of the photosensitive layer 42, and in the sameproduction step, the sensitizing layer 43 may be laminated on thesurface of the photosensitive layer 42 while forming the photosensitivelayer 42 on the support 41, and therefore, its production is easy. Also,since the photosensitive thermal development recording material 40 isprovided with the sensitizing layers 43, it is not necessary to installa screen functioning as a sensitizing member within the cassette to beprovided in an X-ray equipment as seen in the related art.

Also, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the production process of thephotosensitive thermal development recording material according to theinvention includes a step for forming the photosensitive layer 42 on thesupport 41, a step for laminating the sensitizing layer 43 on thesurface of the photosensitive layer 42, and a step for cutting thesupport 41 in a single production step, and therefore, it is possible toefficiently produce a photosensitive thermal development recordingmaterial.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view to show the second embodiment of a case ofa photosensitive thermal development recording material according to theinvention.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, a case 31 has a main body 31 a and a housingsection 32 for housing a recording material (for example, the recordingmaterial F of FIG. 1 can be used), which is provided inside the mainbody 31 a. The main body 31 a is a closed-end longitudinal bag-likemember and constructed such that the recording material F can beinserted from an opening 34 formed in one end portion thereof. The case31 is a member in which at least the surface of the main body 31 a ismade of a light-shielding material. As the light-shielding material,those described above can be used.

The main body 31 a of the case 31 of this embodiment is provided with apartitioning portion 35 as integrally formed with the inner periphery ofthe housing section 32 so as to partition the housing section 32 intotwo sections. The opening 34 is also divided into two sections of anupper-sided opening 36 and a lower-sided opening 37 by this partitioningportion 35.

In other words, in the housing section 32, the spaces partitioned by thepartitioning portion 35 become a pair of pocket portions, and the pairof pocket portions are respectively communicated into the outside of thecase 31 via the respectively divided upper-sided opening 36 andlower-sided opening 37.

The housing section 32 of this embodiment is constructed such that aphotosensitive thermal development recording material (for example, therecording material F of FIG. 1 can be used; hereinafter omitted) can beheld in one of the pair of pocket portions, whereas the sensitizingmember 5 can be held in the other pocket portion.

In the partitioning portion 35, a window portion 35 a having a dimensioncorresponding to the type of the recording material F and the size andposition of a latent image to be formed in this recording material uponirradiation with X-rays is formed.

The number of pocket portions to be partitioned inside the housingsection 32 of the case 31 is not limited to two as in this embodimentbut may be partitioned into three or more by the partitioning portion35.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view to show the state that a photosensitivethermal development recording material and a sensitizing member arehoused in the case illustrated in FIG. 7. As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and8, the recording material F and the sensitizing material 5 are held inthe partitioned state by the partitioning portion 35 in the housingsection 32 of the case 31. Also, the case 31 is constructed such thatthe window portion 35 a is formed in the central portion of thepartitioning portion 35 and that in a place opened by this windowportion 35 a, the recording material F and the sensitizing member 5 areexposed each other and brought into direct contact with each other. Forthis reason, when the case 31 is irradiated with X-rays, in the placeopened by the window portion 35 a in the recording material F, a latentimage is formed while strengthening the reaction of the photosensitivelayer by the sensitizing member 5.

FIG. 9 is a view to schematically show the steps of performing X-raycapturing and thermal development using the case of a photosensitivethermal development recording material illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. Therecording material F is housed in one of the pair of pockets of the case31, and the sensitizing member 5 is housed in the other pocket. A latentimage is formed on the photosensitive layer of the recording material Fupon irradiation of the case 31 having the recording material F and thesensitizing member 5 housed therein with the X-rays X. In X-raycapturing, X-rays may be irradiated in the state that the case 31 ishoused in and held by a cassette (see FIG. 3). Next, the case 31 isdirectly loaded in a thermal development equipment and subjected tothermal development. After the thermal development, the recordingmaterial F is taken out from the case 31. At this time, by employing aconstruction that the sensitizing member 5 can be used in the prescribednumber of times, a fresh recording material F is housed in the statethat the sensitizing member 5 is housed in the pocket portion as it is,whereby the case 31 can be repeatedly used (recycled).

Next, the third embodiment of the photosensitive thermal developmentrecording material according to the invention will be described below.In the embodiment as described below, with respect to the members, etc.having equivalent constructions and actions to those describedpreviously, their explanations will be simplified or omitted. A basicconstruction of the case of this embodiment is the same as theconstruction of the case illustrated in FIG. 1 but is different in thepoint that the main body is constructed of a material having aphotosensitive filtering function for the purpose of shieldingphotosensitive wavelengths as the light-shielding material. As thematerial having a photosensitive filtering function, for example,light-shielding materials capable of shielding color light having awavelength of not longer than 500 nm can be used.

In this embodiment, by using a light-shielding material capable ofshielding color light having a wavelength of not longer than 500 nm, itis possible to visibly confirm the state of the recording materialhoused in the case from the outside of the case. For this reason, indirectly loading the case in a thermal development equipment andperforming thermal development, it is possible to confirm thedevelopment state without taking out the recording material from thecase, and therefore, such is convenient for use.

Next, a sensitizing member of the invention such as fluorescentsensitizing paper, radiation sensitizing screen will be described below.The sensitizing member has a basic structure comprising a support havinga fluorescent layer formed on one surface thereof. The fluorescent layeris a layer having a fluorescent dispersed in a binder. Incidentally, onthe surface of the fluorescent layer in the side opposing to the surfaceon which the support is formed (i.e., the surface in the side not facingthe support), a transparent protective film is generally provided,thereby protecting the fluorescent layer from chemical modifications orphysical impacts.

In the invention, preferred examples of the fluorescent include asfollows.

That is, examples include tungstate based fluorescents (for example,CaWO₄, MgWO₄, and CaWO₄:Pb); terbium activated rare earth element acidsulfide based fluorescents (for example, Y₂O₂S:Tb, Gd₂O₂S:Tb, La₂O₂S:Tb,(Y,Gd)₂O₂S:Tb, and (Y,Gd)O₂S:Tb,Tm); terbium activated rare earthelement phosphate based fluorescents (for example, YPO₄:Tb, GdPO₄:Tb,and LaPO₄:Tb); terbium activated rare earth element oxyhalide basedfluorescents (for example, LaOBr:Tb, LaOBr:Tb,Tm, LaOCl:Ta, LaOCl:Tb,Tm,LaOBr:Tb, GdOBr:Tb, and GdOCl:Tb); thulium activated rare earth elementoxyhalide fluorescents (for example, LaOBr:Tm and LaOCl:Tm); bariumsulfate based fluorescents (for example, BaSO₄:Pb, BaSO₄:Eu²⁺, and(Ba,Sr)SO₄:Eu²⁺); divalent europium activated alkaline earth metalphosphate based fluorescents (for example, (Ba₂PO₄)₂:Eu²⁺); divalenteuropium activated alkaline earth metal fluorohalide based fluorescents(for example, BaFCl:Eu² BaFBr:Eu²⁺, BaFCl:Eu²⁺,Tb, BaFBr:Eu²⁺,Tb,BaF₂.BaCl.KCl:Eu²⁺, and (Ba,Mg)F₂.BaCl.KCl:Eu²⁺); iodide basedfluorescents (for example, CsI:Na, CsI:Tl, NaI, and KI:Tl); sulfidebased fluorescents (for example, ZnS:Ag(Zn,Cd)S:Ag, (Zn,Cd)S:Cu, and(Zn,Cd)S:Cu,Al); hafnium phosphate based fluorescents (for exampleHfP₂O₇:Cu); and YTaO₄ and ones to which a varied activator is added asan emission center. However, the fluorescent which is used in theinvention is not limited thereto, and any fluorescent capable ofrevealing emission in visible or near ultraviolet regions uponirradiation with radiations can be used.

In the sensitizing member to be used in the invention, it is preferablethat the fluorescent is charged by the inclined particle size structure.In particular, it is preferable that fluorescent particles having alarge particle size are coated in the surface protective layer side,whereas fluorescent particles having a small particle size are coated inthe support side and that those having a small particle size have aparticle size in the range of from 0.5 to 2.0 μm, whereas those having alarge particle size have a particle size in the range of from 10 to 30μm.

Also, since the sensitizing member is developed at a temperature of from80 to 250° C., it is preferable that not only PET (polyethyleneterephthalate) as the support is of a heat resistant grade type, butalso the fluorescent is molded with a transparent silicone resin.

(Combination with Ultraviolet Fluorescent Screen)

As the image forming method using the photosensitive thermal developmentrecording material of the invention, it is possible to employ a methodof forming an image by combining a fluorescent preferably having aprincipal peak at not longer than 400 nm. More preferably, a method offorming an image by combining a fluorescent having a principal peak atnot longer than 380 nm is suitable. Any of double-sided photosensitivematerials and single-sided photosensitive materials can be used as anassembly. As the screen having a principal emission peak at not longerthan 400 nm, screens described in JP-A-6-11804 and WO 93/01521 are used,but it should not be construed that the invention is limited thereto. Astechnologies of cross-over cutting (double-sided photosensitivematerial) and anti-halation (single-sided photosensitive material) ofultraviolet rays, a technology described in JP-A-8-76307 can beemployed. As ultraviolet absorbing dyes, dyes described in JapanesePatent Application No. 2000-320809 are especially preferable.

Next, the fourth embodiment of a case of photosensitive thermaldevelopment recording material according to the invention will bedescribed below.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view to show a case of a photosensitive thermaldevelopment recording material of this embodiment. FIG. 11 is an XI-XIline cross-sectional view of the case of a photosensitive thermaldevelopment recording material illustrated in FIG. 10. As illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 11, a case 51 of this embodiment has a main body 51 a and ahousing section 52 provided inside the main body 51 a. The main body 51a is a closed-end longitudinal bag-like member and constructed such thatan opening 54 is formed in one end portion thereof and that therecording material F and the sensitizing member 5 can be inserted fromthis opening 54. The case 51 is a member in which at least the surfaceof the main body 51 a is made of the foregoing light-shielding material.

The main body 51 a of the case 51 of this embodiment is provided withtwo partitioning portions 55, 56 as integrally formed with the innerperiphery of the housing section 52 so as to partition the housingsection 52 into three spaces. The housing section 52 is partitioned intothree pocket portions 52 a, 52 b, 52 c by these portioning portions 55,56.

Also, window portions 55 a, 56 a are formed in the portioning portions55, 56, respectively. These window portions 55 a, 56 a each has adimension corresponding to the type of the recording material F and thesize and position of a latent image to be formed in the recordingmaterial F upon irradiation with X-rays.

In each of the outer two pocket portions 52 a, 52C of the three pocketportions 52 a, 52 b, 52 c, the sensitizing member 5 is housed, and inthe inner pocket portion 52 b, the recording material F is housed.

The case 51 of this embodiment houses the recording material F having aphotosensitive layer on each of the surfaces thereof, and a latent imageis distinctly formed upon irradiation with X-rays on each of thesephotosensitive layers by the sensitizing member 5 housed in each of thepocket portions 52 a, 52 c provided on the both surfaces of therecording material F.

Next, other embodiment of the photosensitive thermal developmentrecording material according to the invention will be described below.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view to show a case of a photosensitivethermal development recording material of this embodiment. Asillustrated in FIG. 12, a photosensitive thermal development recordingmaterial 60 has a support 61, photosensitive layers 62 provided on theboth surfaces of the support 61, and sensitizing layers 63 formed on therespective surfaces of these photosensitive layers 62.

Further, in the photosensitive thermal development recording material60, the surfaces of the photosensitive layers 63 are each covered by alight-shielding layer 64.

Since this photosensitive thermal development recording material 60 iscovered by the light-shielding layer 64, it can be handled in a brightroom even in the state that it is not housed in a case made of alight-shielding material or a cassette of the related art. Accordingly,works in a dark room are not required, and therefore, such is convenientfor use. Also, when X-ray capturing, it is possible to irradiate thisphotosensitive thermal development recording material 60 with X-rays;when thermal developing, by loading this recording material 60 in athermal development equipment as it is, it is possible to performthermal development processing; and after the thermal development, bypeeling the light-shielding layers 64 and the sensitizing layers 63, itis possible to obtain the developed recording material 60.

Next, the production step of the photosensitive thermal developmentrecording material illustrated in FIG. 12 will be described below.

FIG. 13 is a view to conceptually explain the production step of thephotosensitive thermal development recording material of FIG. 12. Asillustrated in FIG. 13, the support 61 is wound out from a supportmaster roll R61. Photosensitive materials are coated on the bothsurfaces of the support 61 wound out to form the photosensitive layer62. Sensitizing material master rolls R63 are disposed in the upward anddownward portions of a traveling passage of the support 61 having thephotosensitive layers 62 formed thereon. Sensitizing materials(sensitizing layers 63) wound out from the sensitizing material masterrolls R63 are pressed on the both surfaces of the support 61 by a pairof adsorbing rollers 67 while being guided by guide rollers 65 and heatsealed by a pair of heating pressure rollers 69 disposed in thedownstream side in the traveling direction. Light-shielding materialmaster rolls R64 are disposed in the upward and downward portions of thetraveling passage of the support 61 in which the sensitizing layers 63have been thus provided on the both front and rear surfaces thereof.Light-shielding materials (light-shielding layers 64) wound out from thelight-shielding material master rolls R64 are pressed on the bothsurfaces of the support 61 by a pair of adsorbing rollers 72 while beingguided by guide rollers 71 and heat sealed by a pair of heating pressurerollers 73 disposed in the downstream side in the traveling direction.The support 61 in which the light-shielding layers 64 have been providedon the both front and rear surfaces thereof is cut into a prescribeddimension in the downstream side of the heating pressure rollers 73 toprepare the recording material 60.

This product process of the recording material F includes a step forforming the photosensitive layer 62 on the support 61, a step forlaminating the sensitizing layer 63 on the surface of the photosensitivelayer 62, a step for laminating the light-shielding layer 64 on thesurface of the sensitizing layer 63, and a step for cutting the support61 in a single production step. Accordingly, it is possible toefficiently produce the photosensitive thermal development recordingmaterial 60 illustrated in FIG. 12, which can be handled in a brightroom.

While the photosensitive thermal development recording material of theinvention may be developed by any method, in general, an imagewiseexposed photosensitive thermal development recording material isdeveloped by raising the temperature. The development temperature ispreferably from 80 to 250° C., and more preferably from 100 to 140° C.

The development time is preferably from 1 to 60 seconds, more preferablyfrom 5 to 30 seconds, and especially preferably from 5 to 20 seconds.

As the thermal development mode, the plate heater mode is preferable. Asthe thermal development mode according to the plate heater mode, amethod described in JP-A-11-133572 is preferable. This method isconcerned with a thermal development equipment for bringing aphotosensitive thermal development recording material having a latentimage formed therein into contact with a heating unit to obtain avisible image, which is characterized in that the heating unit iscomposed of a plate heater; that plural press rollers are disposedopposing to each other along one surface of the plate heater; and thatthe photosensitive thermal development recording material is passedbetween the press roller and the plate heater to perform thermaldevelopment. It is preferable that the plate heater is divided into twoto six stages and that the temperature of the tip portion thereof islowered by from approximately 1 to 10° C.

Such a method is described in JP-A-54-30032. According to this method,it is possible to remove moisture or organic solvents contained in thephotosensitive thermal development recording material out the system.Also, it is possible to suppress the change of the shape of thephotosensitive thermal development recording material caused due to thematter that the photosensitive thermal development recording material israpidly heated.

This application is based on Japanese Patent application JP 2004-060787,filed Mar. 4, 2004, the entire content of which is hereby incorporatedby reference. This claim for priority benefit is being filedconcurrently with the filing of this application.

1. A case for housing a photosensitive thermal development recordingmaterial, wherein the material comprises: a support; and an imageforming layer containing a photosensitive silver halide, anon-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent and a binder,and the case comprises: a main body so as to have a housing section forhousing the material, the main body comprising a light-shieldingmaterial; and a sensitizing member in the housing section.
 2. The caseaccording to claim 1, wherein the material comprises the image forminglayer on at least one surface of the support.
 3. The case according toclaim 1, wherein the main body comprises the light-shielding material ona surface of the main body.
 4. The case according to claim 3, whereinthe light-shielding material covers the surface entirely.
 5. The caseaccording to claim 1, wherein the sensitizing member is adhered to aninner surface of the housing section and faces the image forming layerof the material.
 6. The case according to claim 1, wherein the housingsection comprises a partitioning portion to have a first pocket portionfor housing the material and a second pocket portion for housing thesensitizing member, and the partitioning portion comprises a windowportion so as to form a latent image on the image forming layer at aportion corresponding to the window portion.
 7. The case according toclaim 1, wherein the light-shielding material cuts a color light havinga wavelength of not longer than 500 nm.
 8. A combination of aphotosensitive thermal development recording material and a case forhousing the material, wherein the material comprises: a support; and animage forming layer containing a photosensitive silver halide, anon-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent and a binder,and the case comprises: a main body so as to have a housing section forhousing the material, the main body comprising a light-shieldingmaterial; and a sensitizing member in the housing section.
 9. Thecombination according to claim 8, wherein the material comprises theimage forming layer on at least one surface of the support.
 10. Thecombination according to claim 8, wherein the main body comprises thelight-shielding material on a surface of the main body.
 11. Thecombination according to claim 10, wherein the light-shielding materialcovers the surface entirely.
 12. The combination according to claim 8,wherein the sensitizing member is adhered to an inner surface of thehousing section and faces the image forming layer of the material. 13.The combination according to claim 8, wherein the housing sectioncomprises a partitioning portion to have a first pocket portion forhousing the material and a second pocket portion for housing thesensitizing member, and the partitioning portion comprises a windowportion so as to form a latent image on the image forming layer at aportion corresponding to the window portion.
 14. The combinationaccording to claim 8, wherein the light-shielding material cuts a colorlight having a wavelength of not longer than 500 nm.
 15. A combinationof a case for housing a photosensitive thermal development recordingmaterial and a cassette for holding the case, wherein the materialcomprises: a support; and an image forming layer containing aphotosensitive silver halide, a non-photosensitive organic silver salt,a reducing agent and a binder, the case comprises: a main body so as tohave a housing section for housing the material, the main bodycomprising a light-shielding material; and a sensitizing member in thehousing section; and the cassette is capable of being loaded in an X-rayequipment for forming a latent image upon irradiation of the materialwith a X-ray.
 16. A method for developing a photosensitive thermaldevelopment recording material, the material comprising: a support; andan image forming layer containing a photosensitive silver halide, anon-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent and a binder,wherein the method comprises: housing the material in a case comprisinga light-shielding material; irradiating the material with a X-ray whilea sensitizing member is kept in the case; and thermal-developing thematerial while the material is housed in the case to develop a latentimage.
 17. A photosensitive thermal development recording materialcomprising: a support; an image forming layer containing aphotosensitive silver halide, a non-photosensitive organic silver salt,a reducing agent and a binder; a sensitizing layer; and alight-shielding layer in this order.
 18. The photosensitive thermaldevelopment recording material according to claim 17, wherein the imageforming layer is on at least one surface of the support; the asensitizing layer is on a surface of the image forming layer; and alight-shielding layer is on a surface of the sensitizing layer.
 19. Aprocess for producing a photosensitive thermal development recordingmaterial, the material comprising: a support; and an image forming layercontaining a photosensitive silver halide, a non-photosensitive organicsilver salt, a reducing agent and a binder, wherein the processcomprises: forming the image forming layer on the support; laminating asensitizing layer on a surface of the image forming layer; laminating alight-shielding layer on a surface of the sensitizing layer; and cuttingthe support.